Govt bans tankers using overhead bridges, vows to prosecute defaulters

Ezurike Ugochukwu

Following Tuesday morning tanker explosion at Ogun state, the state government has banned tankers from using overhead bridges in the state.

The State Governor, Dr Dapo Abiodun stated this when he visited the scene of the accident at the Presidential Boulevard Road, Guarantee Trust Bank in Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The incident which has led to the death of one person, injuring several others and properties as dozens of cars have been lost.

People who sustained severe degrees of injuries have also been taken to hospitals for treatment.

It was accounted that the tanker was coming from Sagamu-Siun-Oke-Mosan Road, had a brake failure and as a result descended from the over-head bridge.

“The tanker later rammed into scores of cars before it eventually exploded. It affected some offices in the area including that of the Guaranty Trust Bank,” Seun Okeowo said.

The Ogun State government, while confirming the incident in a tweet urged residents of the state capital to avoid passing GTB, Kuto Road due to the explosion.

While on a visit to the scene of the accident, and to the victims of the inferno in the hospital, Gov. Abiodun expressed shock over the incident.

In response to that, he took to Instagram, stated: “Towards avoiding a recurrence of today’s fatal tanker fire that occurred in Abeokuta, tanker drivers will henceforth no longer use overhead bridges across Ogun State, with stringent penalties to be put in place by the State Ministry of Transportation.

“When I assessed the accident scene, I was made to understand the fire was caused by a brake failure and resultant collisions, which could have escalated but for the quick intervention of responders.

“We have invited burn specialists from Lagos to treat victims with severe burns, and all victims whom I visited at the State Hospital, Ijaye and the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, will be taken off by the State Government.

“My heart is with the families of the six casualties, as Ogun State grapples with this tragic event,” the governor decried.